How many air exchanges per hour are required in a storage area for hazardous compounding?

In a storage area designated for hazardous compounding, the requirement is to maintain a specific number of air exchanges per hour to ensure that the environment remains safe and free of contamination. The correct answer of 12 air exchanges per hour reflects the guidelines set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), specifically in USP Chapter <800>, which covers the handling of hazardous drugs in healthcare settings.

The standard of 12 air exchanges/hour allows for adequate ventilation to dilute and remove airborne contaminants, which is particularly important when dealing with hazardous medications that can pose risks to healthcare workers and patients alike. This ventilation is crucial for maintaining air quality and safety, preventing the accumulation of potentially harmful substances in the area.

While options such as 6, 15, and 20 air exchanges per hour may suggest differing levels of ventilation, the established standard in this context is specifically 12 air exchanges. Deviating from this standard either by reducing air exchanges or increasing them beyond necessary levels could lead to inadequate protection against inhalation of hazardous particles or unnecessary energy consumption, respectively. Therefore, 12 air exchanges per hour is the appropriate standard for hazardous compounding storage areas.